Description
This fish species reaches about 5.9 centimetres (2.3 in) SL. The male is smaller than the female and in proportion to body length, the dorsal fin and pectoral fins are longer on the male than the female.
Ecology
Corydoras paleatus is found in ponds, and feeds on worms, crustaceans, insects, and plant matter.
C. paleatus has been known to produce sound; it does this by abduction of its pectoral fins. This is used by males during courtship and intrapersonal communication, and by both sexes and juveniles when distressed.
In reproduction, males do not behave aggressively toward each other, nor do they monopolize mating areas or females. The T-position is involved in courtship, as with many other Corydoras species.
In the aquarium
It is a very good choice for the community aquarium, as it is a hardy, good looking, and peaceful fish. They can be successfully kept with other small, peaceful aquarium fish like live bearers, danios and tetras. It is sometimes seen in the shops as an albino form, although this is similar to other albino corys. It grows to around 7.5cm, and is easily bred at home.
These fish have sensitive barbels and one should have the proper substrate for them. To keep their barbels (whiskers) in the best condition one requires the fine gravel that looks like coarse salt. This is available in white and brown, both look good. Beware that fry are difficult to spot on the brown gravel. Gravel with sharp edges will cut their barbels (until they are gone). Their barbels are important for finding food, and thus remaining healthy.
These fish prefer a planted tank with temperatures around 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 24 degrees Celsius) and like to nibble on the algae that grows on floating plants. The lighting must not be too bright and you need to set up hiding places, such as bogwood (also known as mopani wood) for them as they like to hide from the light during certain parts of the day. Also provide heavily planted areas, where the light is minimized as they like darker areas due to their bottom feeding nature.
Feed them on a mixed diet of sinking pellets, algae wafers, frozen and live food, such as bloodworm or daphnia. They may also occasionally enjoy a bit of blanched spinach, which you can attach to plants with a peg or the side of the glass with special magnetic clips. you may also see them dart quickly to the top of the tank, this is natural, but will more frequently do this when water quality is starting to deteriorate, so keep an eye on them, they are good indicators!
Spawning and raising the fry
The males initiate the courtship ritual, which entails chasing the females around the tank. The female darts away and the males search for her and find her a few moments later. The males shiver all over the female and may lie down on top of her. When she is ready to spawn she turns to the male next to her and pounds furiously below his ventral fin. The male releases his seed and the female catches it in her mouth. The female cups her ventral fins and lays a few eggs (normally about 4) in them. She now starts cleaning a spot on the glass to lays her eggs on. Corydoras are egg depositors and lay their eggs all over the aquarium. Favourite spots include the heater, filter tubes and the glass, although, occasionally eggs are also laid on plants.
After depositing a group of eggs closely together, the female rests for a few moments. The males regroup and start chasing each other and then resume chasing the female. The males are so relentless in this pursuit that they try to mate with the female even while she is busy laying her eggs. The spawning lasts more than an hour and many eggs are laid.
Eggs, if fertilized, hatch out after a week.
